Moses saved by the Pharaoh's daughter 1724 - 1734

This print of “Moses Saved by the Pharaoh’s Daughter” was made by Anne Claude Philippe Caylus using etching, a process that is both technical and indirect. The image begins with a metal plate, likely copper. Acid is used to bite into the metal, creating recessed lines that will hold ink. This is a very different kind of mark-making than drawing directly with a pencil or pen. It requires a high degree of control, and an ability to plan the image in advance. In this print, the acid is used to create a delicate network of lines, giving the image a sense of depth and atmosphere, evoking the biblical scene with a sense of drama. The entire process involves skilled labor, from the preparation of the plate to the final printing. In a sense, the print is both a work of art and a product of collective effort, reflecting the social and economic conditions of its time. This reminds us that even seemingly straightforward images have complex stories embedded in their making.